Misty, Bob Wells and others,
While I don’t know who is behind the group that developed the posted ads advocating for Mr. Fletcher and Mrs. Nipper, I think it’s likely safe to say that the individuals involved are not Mr. Blue or Commissioner Jones. That probability in and of itself should be a third reason for you to favorably view Bill Fletcher, not to mention Melanie Nipper.
Bill Fletcher is a retired CEO of a company with about 60 mil a year in revenues. He entered the race 4 years ago late in the game with little time and less money, and nearly beat Commissioner Chapman. He is a tireless volunteer worker for various organizations in this county. Board member and very active fundraiser for the Childrens’ Advocacy Center in DFS. Board Member and tireless fundraiser for the Freeport Kiwanians. Officer and Board member in local Republican Clubs, and I believe a local delegate to the Florida Republicans. Member of the Institute of Senior Professionals and perhaps the most important factor in recruitment of Love’s to Mossy Head. I believe he remains on the Board of Adjustments. Please contact Bill if you want a more complete listing, or check out his web site.
Bill is a good, solid citizen and a contributor to the good of the community for years now, and that would be true no matter where he lived. He’s that kind of guy. Smart, educated, and his own man. He and I don’t always see eye to eye, but he is a man who listens, thinks, decides, and if that decision is to disagree with me, I can depend on his having a reasoned position, not an arbitrary one, and a disagreement couched in agreeable and reasonable terms. He has the courage of his convictions and is beholden to no special interest than the public good. If you take the time to check that statement out, you will agree with me. Bill’s record is there for all to see if you do your own due diligence. Take the time to go to the WCTA candidate forum in DFS in 2 ½ weeks and talk to the man yourself. Bill is accepting his responsibilities as a citizen in the fullest terms. We would do well to try to emulate his example by at least taking the time to inform ourselves firsthand. Bob Wells was present at the first WCTA forum. All the rest of you who are obviously interested in local politics should be present at the next one.
In light of the laws governing campaign contributions and allowable activities, I find it puzzling that you and others would be critical of Bill (or anyone else, Melanie in this case) for some advocacy group to back him and then berate him for not disclosing the identity of people he does not know. There no requirement that a group advocating for or against someone in an election ask that person’s permission or otherwise advise them of their activities. It is in fact illegal for there to be coordination between non-profit advocacies and campaigns. They don’t have to ask his permission, and he has absolutely no obligation to try to discern the identities of people who have legally placed them beyond his or our view. Could it be because they fear retribution by Walton County or the forces of evil in this county? Stranger things have happened.
For all we know, this is a Machiavellian plot by the forces of evil in Walton County to discredit those two candidates who threaten to be independent voices disposed to judge proposals in light of the public good and not beholden to the forces of evil. Farfetched? Well, how farfetched was it that Tony Who? would raise $100,000 to run against public enemy number one (Cindy Meadows) of the forces of evil? Or that Cecilia would be escorting Mr. Who? around as she has, apparently provoking the ire of her husband in so doing. Stranger things can happen.
In the more likely event the ads were run by people who favor kicking out Mr. Imfeld and Mr. Chapman, that these folks should choose to remain anonymous for their own reasons is perfectly legal and should not be used against people who have neither input in nor control over such ads and decisions made far removed from their knowledge and control. Both Mr. Fletcher and Mrs. Nipper should be judged for who they are, their records, and what they stand for, not for the actions of others who answer neither to them nor to you or me.
Bill Fletcher’s positive attributes I have mentioned. Let me mention what I know of Melanie Nipper for those who have not as yet taken the time to inform themselves about her. Melanie and her husband are career military, residents of N. Walton, farm owners there, and operate a helicopter service in conjunction with their farm. Melanie remains in the Army Reserve as a helicopter pilot. She has 3 combat tours in Iraq, perhaps one of those in Afghanistan as I believe I recall. As lead pilot for her flights, she is responsible for the lives of about 100 souls aboard those combat choppers. You want a concrete reason for supporting her out of general principle? Walton County is suing her after failing to shut her business down. To have Walton County suing an individual citizen is almost a badge of honor for that citizen, and we both know it. She ain’t one of us, Boys! Git’ er! And git ‘er husband, too!
Melanie has spent her adult life defending our Constitution and absolutely believes in the rule of Constitutional law. Not a little — 100%. She is smart as you might expect such a leader to be —VERY! She is thoughtful, calm, and has spent her life making reasoned, informed decisions knowing full well that they on many occasions have been life or death ones for her and her charges. Considering the dangers of flying a chopper under any conditions, most all her decisions in that role even in routine training have been life or death ones. She promises to bring that integrity and analytical ability to bear on the problems Walton County government faces.
Honor and integrity need not be considered disqualifiers for public office, nor should the opinions and actions of outside political advocacy groups unknown to and unanswerable to those candidates. Bill and Melanie are exemplary people. While they are not the only good people in the race, they are the two I see as being unjustifiably attacks in this forum, and I happily and enthusiastically support them both, knowing full well that each has at least one opponent who seems honorable, too. We have some good alternatives in these two races. I choose to support Bill and Melanie, and I hope that after each of you examines them for who and what they are and what they stand for, you will, too. They're good people.
for your concern. We are good. Not living the yacht life...but wouldn't want to anyway.
